About Us

Step Into Tradition. Dance Into Excellence. Shine on Every Stage.

For over 20 years, Scariff School of Irish Dance has been the premier destination for Irish dance training, inspiring dancers in Florida, Utah, Nevada, and Montana to step up, shine, and achieve their dreams. Whether you’re taking your first jig or training for the World Championships, our award-winning instructors are here to guide, challenge, and celebrate every step of your journey.

At Scariff, we blend tradition, passion, and elite-level coaching to help every dancer build confidence, discipline, and lifelong friendships—all while experiencing the thrill of Irish dance in a supportive and exciting community.

Why Choose Scariff?

✔️ Championship-Level Training – Our dancers consistently place in the Top 5 at major Irish dance championships, including the World Championships.

✔️ Expert Instructors – Led by TCRG & ADCRG-certified teachers, our coaching team has the knowledge, passion, and competitive experience to train both beginners and elite dancers.

✔️ Proven Success & Growth – Whether you’re looking for recreational classes, competition training, or elite performance opportunities, our structured programs ensure progress at every level.

✔️ A Thriving Community – Scariff is more than a dance school—it’s a family. We celebrate teamwork, perseverance, and the joy of Irish culture in every class.

✔️ Unforgettable Experiences – Scariff dancers take the stage in competitions, St. Patrick’s Day parades, world-class performances, and exclusive workshops—creating lifelong memories along the way!

How to Get Started – Your First Steps!

🏆 1️⃣ Register Today – Click HERE for the registration form link.
📱 2️⃣ Stay Connected – Download the Stack Team App, search for "Scariff," and request to join!
🩰 3️⃣ Gear Up – Order your class uniform and school apparel. Ask your teacher for the link to place your order.

💡 Pro Tip: Start with one class per week, but for faster progress and even more fun, consider two classes per week! Practicing at home is a game-changer—your teacher can provide practice videos to help sharpen skills between classes.

🌟 Want to level up your skills? Keep an eye on the Team App for exclusive weekend workshops designed to refine technique, boost confidence, and take your dancer’s performance to the next level!

More Than a Dance Class – A Stage for Unforgettable Moments!

At Scariff, dancers don’t just train—they experience the magic of Irish dance through incredible performances, competitions, and community events all year long!

🎭 Feiseanna (Competitions) – Show off your progress at local, regional, and national Irish dance competitions.
☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Performances – Celebrate Irish culture in parades and live performances.
🌞 Annual Summer Camp – Train with guest instructors from Ireland and level up your skills!
🍂 Annual Fall Show – Take the stage alongside Celtic violinist Mairead Nesbitt and other Irish music icons.
🎉 And So Much More! – Workshops, community events, and special performances make every season exciting at Scariff!

Join the Scariff Legacy Today!

At Scariff School of Irish Dance, your dancer is stepping into more than just a class—they’re joining a legacy of passion, excellence, and tradition.

✨ This is where confidence is built, friendships are formed, and memories last a lifetime. ✨

📍 Find a Location Near You | 📆 Book a Trial Class | 🏆 Join Our Winning Team

💃 Let’s Make Magic Together – One Step at a Time! ☘️

Meet The Instructors

Our teaching staff consists of accredited instructors and adjudicators certified by An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) in Dublin, Ireland. To ensure a safe and secure environment, all teachers undergo thorough background checks through Assurint and B.C.I., prioritizing the well-being and protection of every child.

STEPHEN C. SCARIFF

T.C.R.G, A.D.C.R.G, B.C.R.G

At Scariff Locklier Leonelli School of Irish Dance, your child will be learning from one of the most experienced, accomplished, and passionate Irish dance instructors in the world 🌍💚✨

Stephen Scariff, a Galway 🇮🇪 native, discovered his love for Irish dance at a young age under the guidance of Mairead O’Flaherty, one of Ireland’s most distinguished teachers. His talent and dedication led him to multiple regional, national, and international titles, including top 3 placements at the All Ireland and World Championships.

By the age of 15, Stephen achieved what most dancers only dream of—he became the youngest dancer 🕺ever hired for Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. As the lead performer in the role of the “Good Lord,” he spent four years captivating audiences worldwide with his skill, energy, and charisma.

Driven by his passion for Irish dance, Stephen later created his own show, Irish Dance Invasion, which broke box office records 🌟and toured successfully across Europe. His love for the art form also led him to establish Irish dance schools in Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, where he trained hundreds of dancers to championship levels.

In 2007, Stephen moved to the U.S. and became an accredited IRISH DANCE teacher 👨‍🏫 by An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG)—the world’s leading Irish dance organization. He founded the Scariff School of Irish Dance 🏫, with locations in Florida (Tampa, Palm Harbor), Utah (North Salt Lake City, Sandy, Logan), Nevada (Las Vegas), and Montana (Helena).

Under his leadership, Scariff dancers have won numerous regional and national titles, placing in the top five 🏆at the North American, All Ireland, All Scotland, Great Britain, and World Championships. His school has also produced dancers who have gone on to perform in world-renowned productions like Lord of the Dance and Riverdance.

Beyond coaching, Stephen is a certified ADCRG adjudicator👨‍⚖️, invited to judge prestigious competitions worldwide—a testament to his expert knowledge and reputation in the Irish dance community. His adjudicator’s insight gives Scariff dancers an unmatched advantage in competition, as he trains them with the judging perspective in mind.

But above all, Stephen’s mission is to create a home.🏡 for every dancer who walks through his doors. His teaching philosophy is rooted in character building, confidence boosting, and instilling a strong work ethic. He believes that Irish dance is more than just competition—it’s about personal growth, lifelong friendships, and a deep connection to culture and tradition.

Stephen currently serves as the President 🏛️ of the Western U.S. Regional Council, further solidifying his commitment to the future of Irish dance.

By joining Scariff School of Irish Dance, your child will be guided by an instructor who has lived the dream and knows exactly what it takes to bring out the champion within. 🏆 ✨

MICHELLE
LOCKLIER

T.C.R.G

At Scariff Locklier Leonelli School of Irish Dance, we take pride in having instructors who bring world-class experience, passion, and a deep love for teaching to every class.

Born and raised in Newcastle, England 🇬🇧 Shelley began her Irish dance journey at the age of 8 under the guidance of renowned instructor Margaret Robinson. Her dedication and natural talent quickly set her apart, earning her qualifications for the World Championships🏆in Cork every year until she was 18.

Her exceptional skills didn’t go unnoticed. In 1998, Shelley auditioned for the world-famous Lord of the Dance production in Las Vegas, competing against hundreds of dancers from across the globe. She secured a coveted spot in the cast and spent six incredible years captivating audiences with her dynamic performances💃 before retiring from the stage in 2004.

Falling in love with Las Vegas, Shelley decided to make it her home and shift her focus to nurturing the next generation of Irish dancers. She pursued her TCRG teaching 👩‍🏫accreditation through CLRG (An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha) and founded her own Irish dance school. 🏫. Her vision and commitment to excellence eventually led her to join forces with Stephen Scariff and Mia Leonelli, merging their schools to create what is now the Scariff, Locklier, Leonelli School of Irish Dance.

Shelley finds immense joy and fulfillment in coaching dancers of all levels, from eager beginners taking their first steps to elite competitors aiming for championship titles. Her greatest reward is watching her students grow in confidence, skill, and love for Irish dance within the Scariff family.

With a career spanning elite competition, professional performance, and expert instruction, Shelley continues to inspire, train, and uplift the next generation of Irish dancers—ensuring that the magic and tradition of Irish dance live on for years to come. 💚✨

JASMINE LOHMEYER

T.C.R.G.

At the Scariff Locklier Leonelli School of Irish Dance, students are guided by instructors who combine experience, passion, and a deep love for the art of Irish dance. Jasmine is one of those dedicated educators—bringing both competitive excellence and heartfelt mentorship to every class she teaches. 💚✨

Jasmine began her Irish dance journey in 2002 at the Harney Academy of Irish Dance in San Diego, California. She later transitioned to the Malone Academy of Irish Dance when Michelle Malone-Chiles became Director, continuing to develop her technical skill, artistry, and love for performance. Throughout her competitive career, Jasmine achieved outstanding results, placing 2nd regionally, 9th nationally, and 39th at the World Championships in solo competition, as well as earning 2nd place finishes at both the regional and national levels in team events. 🏆

In addition to competition, Jasmine had the opportunity to perform in a variety of local productions, experiences that sparked her passion for stage performance and strengthened her connection to the Irish dance community. These moments helped shape her belief that Irish dance is not only about results, but also about storytelling, expression, and shared experience.

Jasmine earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from California State University, Fullerton, with a minor in Kinesiology emphasizing Coaching—a background that enhances her teaching approach through an understanding of movement, injury prevention, and athlete development.

👣📚As an educator, Jasmine is deeply committed to creating a supportive, engaging, and encouraging learning environment. She believes in nurturing not only strong technique, but also creativity, confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love for movement. Her teaching philosophy centers on meeting each student where they are and helping them discover their own potential through Irish dance.

Jasmine is thrilled to be part of the Scariff family and looks forward to guiding dancers of all ages and levels on their journey—celebrating progress, building confidence, and sharing in the joy that Irish dance brings. 💫

MIA LEONELLI

T.C.R.G

At Scariff Locklier Leonelli School of Irish Dance, we are proud to have instructors who not only excel as dancers but are also passionate mentors dedicated to shaping the next generation of Irish dancers.

Mia’s Irish dance journey began in 1999 with the Bracken School in Arizona. In 2003, she moved to California and trained under Maire O’Connell at the Claddagh School of Irish Dancing, where she danced competitively for 14 years, achieving exceptional success as both a soloist and team competitor.

Her competitive highlights include:

🏆 Two-time Western U.S. Regional Champion (2009, 2013)

🏆 Top 3 placement at the North American National Championships

🏆 Top 10 placement at the World Irish Dancing Championships

Beyond her accomplished dance career, Mia also excelled academically. She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2015 before being selected—out of hundreds of dancers who auditioned—to tour with the world-famous Riverdance from 2015-2017. Performing on the global stage with Riverdance was a dream come true, allowing her to share her talent and love for Irish dance with audiences worldwide.

After completing her final tour, Mia relocated to Utah with ambitions of pursuing graduate studies while continuing her deep connection to Irish dance. She joined Scariff School of Irish Dance as a pupil and assistant teacher.

✨ In 2019, she reclaimed the Western U.S. Regional Solo Championship title, marking the end of her competitive career on a high note.

Mia’s dedication to Irish dance extended beyond performance and competition. She successfully earned her TCRG teaching certification through An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) in December 2019 and has been a valued member of the Scariff teaching staff ever since.

As a teacher, Mia is deeply committed to helping her students grow, thrive, and achieve their own personal best. She takes pride in instilling confidence, discipline, and a love for Irish dance in every dancer she trains.

Being part of the Scariff family is more than just a profession for Mia—it’s a passion, a legacy, and a way to inspire future generations to dream big and dance even bigger! 💚✨

DONOVAN CHARTIER

T.C.R.G.

At the Scariff Locklier Leonelli School of Irish Dance, students are inspired by educators whose journeys reflect dedication, resilience, and a deep love for Irish dance. Donovan Chartier brings exactly that spirit—combining competitive excellence, performance experience, and a lifelong commitment to teaching and mentorship. 💚✨

Donovan first fell in love with Irish dance after attending a performance of Spirit of the Dance at his local performing arts center in Sacramento, California. Captivated by the power, rhythm, and storytelling of Irish dance, he knew early on that this art form would become a lasting part of his life. A few years later, after relocating to Kansas City, Missouri, Donovan began formal training at the age of nine under Belfast native Christine O’Riada, who played a pivotal role in shaping his early development.

Remarkably, Donovan’s teaching journey began just one year later. While dropping off his younger sibling at class, Christine asked if he had brought his dance shoes—and that moment marked the start of his path as a teaching assistant at just 10 years old, helping guide beginner dancers and discovering his passion for instruction and leadership. 👣

In 2016, Donovan moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he trained with The Academy Irish Dance Company. Over the next four years, until his competitive retirement in 2020, he achieved some of the highest accomplishments of his career. His competitive highlights include:

Mid-America Regional Oireachtas Champion (solo and team, 2017)
Multiple Top 5 placements at both the Regional Oireachtas and North American National Championships
Top 15 placement at the CLRG World Championships (solo)
World Champion title in team dancing (2019) 🏆

Beyond competition, Donovan has a deep love for performance. He has danced with acclaimed Celtic rock bands, appeared at numerous Irish festivals, and performed on television, experiences that strengthened his stage presence and artistic expression. At just 16 years old, Donovan was selected to rehearse with Lord of the Dance in preparation for their London residency, after auditioning—initially out of a friendly childhood rivalry—an opportunity that further affirmed his place in the professional Irish dance world. 🎭

After a four-year hiatus from competitive dancing, Donovan returned to Irish dance with renewed purpose and clarity, earning his TCRG teaching certification from An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) in 2024, passing with honors—a testament to his dedication, knowledge, and commitment to excellence. 👨‍🏫

In 2025, Donovan relocated to the Tampa Bay area and is thrilled to join the Scariff Locklier Leonelli School of Irish Dance. He looks forward to sharing his passion for Irish dance, mentoring dancers of all ages and levels, and supporting the school’s mission to create a home for every dancer—where confidence, character, and community can flourish. 💫

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